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Just fitted a new wheel set to my Meta AM 29er with 30mm internal rims.
The rear tyre (Smorgasbord 2.25) is now very close to the chain stay yoke and I’m concerned as soon as it gets a coating of mud it will grind a hole through.
That means it’s either get rid of the new wheel (sob!) or find a tyre that will still mount ok on that width rim, still have decent grip but aren’t quite so high in the shoulder area. Anyone have any suggestions?
Maxxis 2.3 come up small.
Specialized Purgatory - when I ran it - didn't look like proper 2.3 size to me.
I'd question why you went for a 30mm internal rim with such tight clearance..
Sorry that doesn't help 🙁
Because it was cheap and because I didn’t realise how much of a difference it would make to the clearance!
There’s prob 2-3mm on the drive side, nds and seatbstays have loads of room. In the summer I’d be less worried but with claggy South Downs chalky mid I’m expecting a fair bit of rub if I run it as is.
I do have a spare Vittoria Mezcal from my xc bike but that might be a bit too ‘low profile’...
Maxxis HR2 in 2.3" is noticably low profile for a 2.3" width tyre... Might be worth a try.
You do realise rim width wont affect tyre height?
You do realise rim width wont affect tyre height?
Can affect clearance on the shoulders though- 4mm difference in internal rim width was enough to make a tyre useable or not in my Solaris.
Op- assuming you're on the same 'old' meta 29er as me? I had a 2.4 ardent on a 23mm rim and it was fag paper clearance between the shoulder knobs and the driveside chainstay, never had a problem. Admittedly, it could get claggy in mud but I think it was so close it all just built up on the chainstay instead. Currently running a 2.3 hr2 on a 26mm rim and clearance on that has been plenty so far- I can check tomorrow if you like (and if I remember!)
That would be good, ta. It is indeed the older design Meta. (Shock etc right down by bb)
The same tyre on a 21mm internal rim was absolutely fine.
On the wider rim it was dragging ever so slightly on the rubber chainstay protector just on the shoulder of the tyre. Trimming this has given clearance but not a lot.
The wider rim has pushed whee the shoulder knobs sit out a bit to the point they contact as opposed to making the tyre ‘bigger’.
Think it try it on Sunday as I’m only riding QECP Blue with the Mrs.
If there's plenty of clearance at the NDS chainstay are you sure that the wheel is dished correctly? I can't speak specifically for the Meta but some bikes require offset/non-central dishing on the rear wheel.
I recently got a WTB TrailBoss which I think comes up less chunky than a Smorgasbord.
Vittoria Barzo?
Be prepared for wild time with it though. That tyre seems to accelerate when you touch the brakes 🙂
How about an Ardent 2.25?
I have similar debates with my short chainstay 29er and south downs mud...
It's a tricky compromise. Specialized 2.3 tyres (like the purgatory) seem to fit okay, but still tighter than ideal. I haven't found modern Maxxis to come up particularly small or low profile unfortunately.
Onza Ibex 2.25 was fine and is a little like a "cut down" Maxxis HR, if that makes sense? Not as grippy, but was an okay compromise for me last winter on the back for the same trails you are riding.
If there is loads of room to the NDS and it's sideways space you are lacking, why not just dish the wheel over a bit?
I’ve just done exactly that. Now have about 5mm nds still and 3-4mm ds.
Also picked up a Trail Boss from PX as they are £8 at the moment, in case I need to go smaller.
I’m thinking of making a little wear plate for the inside out of some 0.5mm stainless I’ve got.
What a pain. Should have just stuck with narrower rims!